Wilbur Eugene Miller

If Dad had written this obituary, here is what it would say: "NOTHING." He was a man of few words that didn't like to talk about himself.

Here is what we have to say: Our dad, Wilbur Eugene Miller, was born to Wilbur and Johanna (VanBruggen) Miller on December 30, 1942, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He learned at an early age how talented his mother was and became intrigued watching her build and make things, realizing he had inherited the same interests and talents. While he enjoyed playing baseball with neighborhood friends, he found the greatest joy in working with his hands building or redoing anything, including a boat, a soapbox derby racer, motors, cars, and motorcycles. Growing up, he spent summers at his family's cottage on Pine Lake where he developed a love for boating. He also enjoyed dirt bike riding and drag racing. Eventually he built a competitive B-Modified drag car and had many trophies to prove his talent.

In high school, he took a variety of trades-related classes and found a strong interest in sheet metal. He began working after school sweeping floors at a local sheet metal shop. Through the encouragement of his shop teacher he applied for, tested, and was accepted into a sheet metal apprenticeship program, which he began after graduating in 1960 from Kalamazoo Central High School. After completion of the apprenticeship program but before beginning his career, he was drafted into the U.S. Army as a Specialist 4th class and went to Fort Knox, Kentucky for basic training. He spent a couple of years moving around the States living in Georgia and Texas before being sent to Vietnam. He served as a radio communications operator during that time and eventually was discharged as a Sergeant and returned home.

After settling back into civilian life, he finally began his sheet metal career. In 1971, he met his future wife, Lois. They dated briefly before eloping on December 18, 1972. Together they designed and built their first home in Galesburg and began a family. They had a daughter in 1975 and a son 11-months later in 1976. They always put their kids first and sacrificed to ensure they had everything they needed. They spent several years in the late 1980s moving to Arizona and back to Michigan before eventually settling in Portage where they designed and built their second family home. Dad built a large pole barn to house his machine shop where he spent hours restoring old cars, pickups, and motorcycles from the "ground up", including doing framework and bodywork, building motors, painting, and sewing the upholstery. He never turned away a friend in need of project advice, assistance, or help fabricating parts.

In 1998, he retired after 40 years as a union sheet metal journeyman and began spending winters with Mom RVing in Arizona and other warm locations. Through those travels he found new interests in golf, jewelry making, and Harley Davidson motorcycles. Together, Dad and Mom got involved in the local HOG chapter and took several motorcycle trips. He enjoyed spending many hours riding with friends.

They were blessed to become grandparents in 2005 and again in 2006. Spending time with their granddaughters brought out a softer side in Dad, one that only those closest to him ever knew. He even built a special rocking horse and toy chest for the grandchildren before they were born that would carry his love with them through the years. He was absolutely delighted taking them for a ride in the field with his jeep and mentioned many times of their giggles that gave him such joy. Time spent with all of his granddaughters, both in Illinois and Arizona was sheer fun and delight for him.

Surviving are his wife, Lois Miller; daughter Karie (Omar Ordonez) Miller; son Joel (Alicia) Miller; and three granddaughters, Ashley Ordonez, Johanna Miller, and Paige Miller.

Those who knew Dad well understood his sense of humor, sarcasm, and wit. They recognized that despite the tough exterior he was always willing to do anything for anyone. He was a silent presence in a lot of situations but he was always paying attention. His talents were limitless, his knowledge was incredible, his heart was enormous, his persistence and drive were unmatched, his impact on this world was admirable, his love was unconditional, and his absence is hard to handle. And, yes, he was a man of few words. But he was never shy to say I love you with his goodbyes.

We hope we did you proud in this obituary, Dad, and in life. Thank you for being the Dad you were. You will be missed more than you could have ever imagined. We will live and love bigger and bolder with you forever in our hearts.

Services for Dad are private. He will be laid to rest with military honors at Fort Custer National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center or South Michigan Food Bank.